If there’s one thing money can’t buy, it’s a reservation to New York City’s most exclusive restaurant: Rao’s.
The iconic Italian hotspot is notoriously impossible to get into…until now!
Marriott Bonvoy and American Express have teamed up to recreate the Harlem staple inside the JW Marriott Essex House for one night only, giving diners once-in-a-lifetime access to one of the world’s most exclusive dining rooms.
“Rao’s is a special and intimate dining experience that has been passed down for generations,” Ron Straci, Co-Owner of Rao’s, said in a statement to Parade. “Creating Dinner Rush with American Express and Marriott needed to feel like a true extension of our own table. The experience honors the spirit of Rao’s while opening our table to a new circle of guests.”
Dinner Rush will feature a table-for-table recreation of Rao’s and offer a multi-course dinner featuring signature Rao’s dishes.
“From the start, Dinner Rush, presented by Marriott Bonvoy and American Express, was about opening the door for our Card Members to a table that’s almost impossible to get, and for us, that had to be Rao’s,” Jon Gantman, Executive Vice President – Cobrand Products & New Product Development at American Express, said. “It’s one of the toughest reservations in New York, with decades of history behind it. Pairing it with JW Marriott Essex House—another New York institution and a Central Park landmark since the 1930s—gave us the perfect backdrop to recreate that magic for one night.”
Beginning April 8, hopeful diners will have the opportunity to text 917-540-2868 to sign up for a chance to attend Dinner Rush. Tickets ($300) can be purchased on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card Members will have exclusive access to purchase tickets on April 13.
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.